Mahendra Singh Dhoni produced a record-breaking innings that left Australia searching for answers in the field, and gave India a significant first-innings lead on a Chennai pitch that is expected to give the spinners plenty of help on the last two days.

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Hammered in recent times for his batting and captaincy in Tests, Dhoni silenced all his doubters with a masterful double-hundred as he bossed Australia from the moment he came to the crease following the dismissal of Sachin Tendulkar.

Ashwin is having a brilliant Test match. PTI

His 206 not out was not only his personal best, but also the highest Test score by an Indian wicketkeeper and the best by an Indian captain against Australia.

Tendulkar fell in the first session to Lyon, but Kohli, who made a stylish hundred of his own, and Dhoni ensured there was no respite for Australia’s bowlers, who must be wondering how they are going to take 20 wickets in India after this display.

Kohli eventually fell to Lyon trying to force the pace, holing out to mid-wicket (the only batsman not to be bowled). India lost Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin in the final session, but Dhoni found a willing ally in Bhuvneshwar Kumar and the pair added an unbeaten 128 for the ninth wicket at over 4 an over, of which Bhuvneshwar’s contribution was 16.